A number of the world’s travel and tourism leaders
have committed to join the inaugural PATA CEO Challenge: Confronting Climate Change.
Mr Edwin Fuller, President & Managing Director, Marriott Hotels and Resorts; Mr Tony
Tyler, CEO, Cathay Pacific; Mr George Hickton, CEO, Tourism New Zealand; and Mr Tony
Wheeler, Founder, Lonely Planet are just some of the leaders who will be at the
historic event in Bangkok on April 29-30.

In the opening session on April 29, immediately after Dr RK Pachauri delivers his
keynote speech, Mr Michael Elliott, International Editor of TIME Asia, will conduct
a live interview with the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

Dr Pachauri is Chairman of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),
which shared the Nobel Peace Prize with former US Vice President Mr Al Gore last
year.

The PATA CEO Challenge format features a combination of interactive discussions and
plenary sessions focusing on critical climate change issues.

A core element of the event is the “Boardroom Challenges” on the first day.

In a rapid-fire morning session on April 29, industry leaders will briefly introduce
a “Boardroom Challenge”; a specific practical initiative being developed now to
counter the impacts of climate change.

In the following moderated breakout sessions, “Challenge Advocates” will explain the
initiatives in more detail, highlighting opportunities for potential collaboration
with other like-minded organisations.

By sharing their experiences and insights, travel and tourism leaders will inspire
and challenge all delegates at the event to also commit to action.

Many other travel industry leaders have committed to join the Challenge, including
Mr Geoff Lipman, Assistant Secretary General of the UNWTO; Mr KP Ho, Executive
Chairman of Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts; Mr Tom Wright, CEO of Visit Britain; Dr
Sasithara Pichaichannarong, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Sports,
Thailand; and Mr Sonu Shivdasani, Chairman & CEO, Six Senses Resorts and Spas.
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